"Roy..."
"It's all right. I already forgave you. This is a thing of the past. Everything is starting over, nothing else will stop my love for you. But Alexis is another story. You need to go to her."
Roy kissed her once again as he pulled her hood back on her head. Riza smiled and grabbed his hand. She knew this was dangerous, but she had to do this. Turning away, she released his hand and walked away into the night. Riza walked through the park, the short cut to Ishbal. not wanting to take the train, she ran through the now rainy streets and kept to the shadows. Just like she did thirteen years ago. It was a long walk, but she had to make it.
A small girl no older then thirteen walked out from behind a tree once on the other side of the Ishbal boarders. She had brown wavy hair and bright red eyes.
"Are you Elizabeth Hawkeye?"
"Um... yes... and you are...?"
"I'm Bri from Ishbal. My best friend Alexis, your her mother are you not? Please be truthful..."
Riza held her breath for a moment more, then released it.
"Yes, I'm Alexis' mother."
"Why did you leave her?"
"To protect her."
"Why? From whom?"
"From the military, from harm, from myself. You don't understand the differences in the places we come from. I'm a solider. Scar is a criminal. I was marrying a state alchemist. Scar wants to kill all state alchemists. It was not the smartest thing to do."
"Why not tell her. Why not tell Alexis when she found you in the park."
Riza went to answer, but then found she couldn't. Bri stared at Riza until she finally reached out of her brown cloak and took Riza's hand.
"Come with me Elizabeth."
Bri pulled Riza into Ishbal and past all the houses. Lights burned in the windows. The last time she was here was thirteen years ago. She never really looked at the surroundings, she was running to fast. But now she saw how the Ishbals lived. Bri pulled Riza around a corner to a small hut where a sign hung in the window.
'Happy Birthday Alexis'
Written in bold pink letters with glitter. The number thirteen was written in the corner along with pictures of cakes, balloons and presents. Bri knocked on the door and Rose answered.
"Hello Bri. Welcome. Glade you could make it."
Rose smiled, then noticed the guest Bri had.
"Hello..."
Riza smiled. She recognized rose from years ago when she was only a lieutenant.
"Hello..."
"Can Scar come to the door please?"
"Why do you need Scar Bri?"
"Please..."
"One moment..."
Rose closed the door and went inside. Bri pulled Riza to the other side of the hut into the shadows and then went back to the door. The sounds of laughter could be heard as the door opened. Thunder crashed in the distance and Riza could not hear what Bri was saying. Then, the sounds of footsteps in the mud was heard as shadow approached her from behind. Riza turned around just in time to see Scar standing above her. Riza froze in place. all theses times she was faced with Scar she was fighting him. Then, the last two times she was fearing him and pleading with him. He stood under his brown cloak and glared down at Riza. His red eyes showed anger and hate as he watched the amber eyes of the military solider quiver in fear.
"Why have you come here...?"
She pulled the hood off of her head and allowed the rain to run down her blonde hair. She stared up at Scar. He towered over her by at least a foot.
"I've come to see Alexis."
"You swore to push her out of your life thirteen years ago."
"That was then, this is now. I only want to make amends with her. To apologize to her for what I have done."
"Thirteen years is too late for that."
"Please Scar, just let me see her."
"You have seen her! In the park only days ago, then again before that when she entered the military building. Both times you ignored her and denied her of the only thing she wanted. Love from her mother. I think it is best you go, return back to your home in the city and never return to here..."
Scar turned away and went back into his house, laughter came once again, then disappeared as the door closed and thunder roared. Riza stared at the spot Scar once stood. She didn't blame him for hating her. Hell, Riza hated herself right now. So, taking his advice, she turned and walked away. As she walked away, she took one last look into the window of the house. Seeing only little under the window sign, Riza smiled at the colorful decorations and the happy children inside. Alexis was safe.
Not knowing if it was the rain drops or tears, Riza whipped her face then pulled her hood back up. She walked across the now muddy streets heading for the closest city train station.